Happy Stories From our customers

Practically every culture lays claim to a particular style of jewelry making, with no culture being exactly like another, yet many having distinct similarities. Celtic jewelry possesses its own powerful and mystical beauty, unmistakeable and distinctly its own.

The origins of this amazing jewelry date back to somewhere between 2000 BC to 550 AD. This is when silver and gold were used by Celtic craftspeople and adorned with Celtic symbols. Silver (commonly associated with the moon) was often used for Celtic torques and bracelets, whereas gold (very rare and precious in those days) was reserved for the wealthiest society members.

Much could be written about various Celtic symbols, but for sake of ease, let’s focus on the most common:

Celtic knots or interlaces are one of the instantly recognizable hallmarks of Celtic jewelry. Tracing the line of one thread of most Celtic knots, for example, reveals that the thread is unbroken, returning over and over again to complete its path. The organic form of Celtic knots as revealed in bracelet patterns throughout the centuries symbolizes one’s strong connection to nature and the cosmos.

[Source: Celtic Culture]

Incredibly, 25 centuries later (!), this same intricate symbolism can be seen in modern day jewelry. If you’re interested in your own Celtic piece of jewelry, talk to us about your ideas. We’re happy to custom design a piece especially designed for your spirit and personality.

The Snettisham Hoard Great Torc. The torc is one of the most elaborate golden objects from the ancient world. It is made from gold mixed with silver and weighs over 1 kg. Torcs are made from complex threads of metal, grouped into ropes and twisted around each other. The ends of the torc were cast in moulds and welded onto the metal ropes.

Style 103323 with diamond band

Cast settings

We’ve seen it before. The wrong earrings can have a dramatic effect on the look of your face. For instance (as this video mentions) long earrings (the type that almost touch the shoulder) can have an elongating effect on face–good for a round face but certainly not so good for a longer face.

The easiest way to tell? Grab a selection of earrings, pull your hair back and stand in front of a good, well-lit mirror. Then try each pair, one by one. When you try earrings on sequentially like this, its much easier to tell whether a pair is a right fit for your size face.

Ah, the cushion cut diamond. A longstanding favorite among our clients (as well as us–we love the cut!). But how did the cushion cut come to be? What gives it such a captivating appeal? Let’s take a look at how this stunning cut came to be.

First, what is the cushion cut exactly?

Well its shape is somewhere between the rectangle and the oval shape. And while it may seem like a modern cut, it actually has quite the history. Cushion cuts were very popular from a good portion of the 19th century until the early 20th century.

The core of the cushion cut is the “old mine cut” (a square cut with round corners), generally with a high crown, a small table and large facets. This “old mine cut” usually possesses 33 crown facets and 25 pavilion facets.

So what is the modern cushion cut then?

Consider it a cross between the old mine cut and a modern oval cut. But instead of the old mine cut’s  58 facets, the modern cushion cut possesses 64 facets. The cushion cut also has an open culet (which is the bottom of the gem) and more of a rectangular to square shape, with rounded corners and a facet plan that provides the gemstone’s depth.

The cushion cut should not be confused with today’s brilliant cuts, intended to maximize the light returned to the human eye. While the cushion cut is not quite as brilliant or fiery as other modern cuts, it contains within it a classic, romantic look that maximizes a gem’s luster.

How about some examples? 

Margie,

Thank you SO MUCH again for all of your help. I can only hope I wasn’t a huge pain to work with. You were so incredible, patient, kind and knowledgeable. I have already sung your praises to so many. Everyone else I know said purchasing and finding a ring was such a stressful process but we feel so blessed that you made it so easy. I can only hope you forward this along to those who may be above you because I would love nothing more than to let them know what an asset you are to your company.

I know when it comes time for our wedding bands, we will be making another call to you guys.

Thank you again for everything! I can’t wait to send you guys the photos of when I finally get to wear it!

P.H.

Barely a day goes where we don’t hear news about jewelry thefts of some sorts. Whether its a high-powered celebrity or a local break-in, no one is immune to prying hands.

Luckily, there are steps you can take when you travel to make sure your valuable jewelry is safe, leaving you to truly relax and enjoy your vacation.

First and foremost, take advantage of your hotel’s safe deposit box. This is where precious gemstones and jewelry belong when you’re not wearing it. Get into the routine of familiarizing yourself with the process so it becomes habitual and easy to integrate into your vacation schedule. Again, if you’re not wearing it, your valuables belong in a safe deposit box. 

When it comes to visitors, be selective. Most of us meet new people in public while on vacation. And that’s a great thing. But be aware: people who steal come in all shapes and sizes. As a matter of fact, thieves can be quite shrewd, charming and outwardly trustworthy. Get in the habit of meeting new friends out in public and not inviting them into your sanctuary: your hotel room.

A vacation is always a good idea. And bringing your amazing jewelry with you to show off to the world is part of the fun. It takes very little to accustom yourself to habits that will ensure the safety of your valuables. Some simple safeguards go a long way!